Friday, May 27, 2011

"Those between the age of 18 and 40 years will require an Egyptian visa."
"...People here say that despite the fact that it is long overdue, they welcome the Egyptian decision to open the Rafah crossing permanently, hoping that also goods especially constriction materials would be allowed in."PressTV - Egypt to open Rafah crossing permanently:

"The Rafah crossing: This gate, which is Gaza's only way to the outside world bypassing Israel, would now be open permanently-six days a week except Fridays and holidays.

The Palestinians on Thursday welcomed the Egyptian decision to ease restrictions imposed on the coastal enclave, which had been under an Israeli land & sea blockade since 2007.

Palestinians of Gaza said this move would end their sufferings they had under the former Egyptian regime led by the ousted President Mubarak

However, the crossing will not be a full opening as there will be some conditions on exit, all women and children under the age of 18 will be allowed to leave as well as men over the age of 40.

Those between the age of 18 and 40 years will require an Egyptian visa. Meanwhile, Israel has expressed concern over Rafah's opening, with Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilani calling it 'very problematic.

For its part Hamas has said that this decision is a step in the right direction towards ending the prolonged siege, Fatah also said that this will facilitate the life of the population and ease their suffering.

The crossing had already been open temporarily and on a very limited basis.

Opening the Egypt-Gaza border will now ease the isolation of more than 1.6 million Palestinians in Gaza who have been relying heavily on underground tunnels to transfer their basic necessities.

People here say that despite the fact that it is long overdue, they welcome the Egyptian decision to open the Rafah crossing permanently, hoping that also goods especially constriction materials would be allowed in.

Activists refuse to send Gaza aid via Israel
KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) 26 May -- Activists on a Malaysian aid ship that had been bound for Gaza refused to hand their cargo to Egypt on Thursday, saying they feared it would end up in Israel.